At General Assembly, Mali calls for global UN approach to Sahel's regional challenges
Sep 28, 2014, at 06:58 pm
New York, Sept 28 (IBNS) Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, whose country the United Nations helped stabilize after a series of coups and sectarian fighting, mounted the General Assembly’s podium on Saturday to call on the world Organization to take a concerted global approach to all his region's proble
Australian-Cambodian refugee agreement could set disturbing precedent – UN agency
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:41 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) on Friday expressed deep apprehension on Friday over a new refugee agreement between Australia and Cambodia barring Nauru refugees seeking Australia’s protection from settling there, offering them instead settlement in Cambodia.
Myanmar: UN chief urges country to move beyond 'narrow agendas' and towards cooperation
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:39 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Myanmar has shown progress in areas of socio-economic development, national reconciliation and democratization, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon confirmed on Friday, while also warning that the Asian country still faced "critical hurdles" as it approached its impending elections.
At UN, memorial to transatlantic slave trade will send 'powerful message' for years to come
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:38 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS)The United Nations took one more step towards constructing a permanent commemoration to the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade on Friday in what the head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said would be "a message of hope, of tolerance, of human dignity."
Central Asian, Caucasus leaders outline development strategies for region
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:37 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) In his remarks to the General Assembly, Kazakhstan's Foreign Affairs Minister, Erlan Idrissov, said he was particularly concerned with the continuing violence in the Middle East and Africa, and now Ukraine, whose impact extends to the entire region including through sanctions being imposed by countries that together make up 60 per cent of the world GDP (gross domestic product).
First World Conference on Indigenous Peoples: Governments pledge action to advance indigenous rights
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:36 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Scattered across the globe, indigenous peoples are among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable populations on earth. Braving injustice and discrimination, many are forced to struggle to remain on their ancestral lands and retain the right to their natural resources that are essential to their survival. Others have long since been removed from their lands and denied their languages and traditional ways.
Alliance of civilizations: World leaders meet at UN to promote common humanity
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:34 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson on Friday reminded the annual meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations designed to promote better cross-cultural relations that "people are very good at seeing prejudice in others – but they are not so good at seeing their own bias."
'No other option but to defeat ISIL, all terrorists, everywhere,' Iraqi leader tells UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:33 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) While the Iraqi people were determined to defend their land of against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) – “an infamous group that has taken terror to a new era and a new level†– the country's President appealed to United Nations Member States on Friday for support, protection and relief, so that Iraq may rid itself and the world of the grave danger ISIL posed.
Amid regional crisis, UN chief urges continued international support for Lebanon
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:32 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) One year after its inaugural meeting, the International Support Group for Lebanon continues to channel the global community’s concern for the stability of the Middle Eastern country, particularly as crises continue to engulf the region, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday.
Haiti calls for a reformed, strengthened UN at General Assembly high-level debate
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:31 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) President Michel Martelly of Haiti, which United Nations missions have helped overcome natural disasters and political crises, took the podium of the General Assembly on Friday to call for strengthening the world Organization in the face of the myriad emergencies it faces.
International community has obligation to help Central African Republic rebuild, says Ban
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:30 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS)Member States must continue to assist the Central African Republic (CAR) as it lifts itself back up from the devastation of conflict, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared on Friday as he called on the international community to assist the beleaguered African country "chart a path to reconstruction, reconciliation, and the rule of law."
'Coalition of moderates' must fight extremists of all religions, Malaysian leader tells UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:29 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) At the General Assembly on Friday, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak paid tribute to both MH370 and MH17 flights – “twin tragedies†– that will hopefully change the global aviation system for the better.
Central African Republic faces insecurity, logistics challenges as rains set in – UN agency
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:28 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Due to the rainy season in the Central African Republic (CAR), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has announced that it is facing a double challenge of insecurity and logistical constraints.
Crimes in Syria, Iraq cannot be accepted by any religion, Lebanon’s leader tells UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:28 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Taking to the General Assembly podium on Friday, President of the Council of Ministers of Lebanon, Tammam Salam, said that his country finds itself in the middle of a turbulent region and that the events unfolding in Syria and Iraq represent human crimes which "cannot be understood nor accepted by any mind or religion."
At UN Assembly, Bosnia and Herzegovina appeals for scale-up in foreign investment
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:27 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) In his address to the annual General Assembly debate in New York, a Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday called for support from developed countries for its "development and recovery path."
At UN Assembly, European leaders focus on crises in Ukraine and Middle East
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:26 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS): Taking the podium of the United Nations General Assembly on the third day of its annual high-level Debate on Friday, European leaders called for an end to the crisis within their own continent, with Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitÿ decrying Russia’s violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty.
Somalia will be united by 2016, President tells UN General Assembly
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:26 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS)Somalia is at a critical juncture in its efforts to achieve security and stability, the country’s President told the United Nations General Assembly calling for continued support to strengthen Somalia as a security and ideological "firewall."
Justice remains elusive for Guinea stadium killings – UN human rights chief
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:24 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) The top United Nations human rights official on Friday urged the Government of Guinea to take immediate and concrete steps to advance the investigation and prosecution of rights violations, including killings, rapes and enforced disappearances, allegedly committed by security forces against peaceful protestors at a football stadium five years ago.
UN chief urges countries to "create a better future," ratify nuclear-test-ban treaty
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:23 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) While the damage caused by past nuclear testing cannot be reversed, the international community can work toward a better future where nuclear testing and proliferation are banned outright, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday.
'Our grief, trauma, anger will not make us abandon our humanity,' Palestinian leader tells UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:22 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Addressing the General Assembly this morning, President of the State of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas noted that he had embarked on a recently launched round of negotiations in good faith and with an open mind, strongly determined to reach a peace accord within nine months.
In UN address, El Salvador leader urges joint action on issue of unaccompanied migrant children
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:21 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNSAddressing the General Assembly this morning El Salvador’s President, Salvador Sánchez Cerén called on the international community to support Central American countries to overcome the crisis generated by the increased flow of unaccompanied migrant children travelling to the United States.
Syria, Iraq among crises driving some 330,000 to seek refugee status – UN agency
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:20 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS)The number of people seeking refugee status in industrialized countries climbed again in 2014, driven largely by the wars in Syria and Iraq, as well as conflict and instability in Afghanistan and Eritrea, according to a new United Nations Refugee agency (UNHCR) study released on Friday.
In summit-level meeting, Ban announces review of UN 'blue helmet' operations
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:19 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) From northern Mali to the Golan Heights, the risks facing United Nations peacekeepers are growing as they are deployed in increasingly dynamic and challenging situations, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Friday, adding that the Organization’s “blue helmets†will have to quickly adapt to the demands of the 21st century’s crises and conflicts.
Africa's concerns must figure high in new development agenda, African leaders tell UN
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:18 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Availing themselves of the spotlight afforded by the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly, African leaders served notice on Friday that the multi-year United Nations agenda for sustainable development now being drawn up must address fully their continent’s specific concerns.
At UN Assembly, President calls for end to 'anachronistic burden' of divided Cyprus
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:17 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) Cyprus and its citizens deserve much more than a divided country, President Nicos Anastasiades today said, urging the adopting of his confidence building measures and Turkish cooperation on the issue of missing persons.
World must move toward total elimination of nuclear weapons – UN chief
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:16 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) The time has come for the total elimination of nuclear weapons stockpiles, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today declared as he urged the revival of nuclear disarmament as a "top international priority."
In annual address, Guyana urges UN Assembly to focus on border issues for development
Sep 27, 2014, at 03:15 pm
New York, Sept 27 (IBNS) The most important precondition for development progress is peace, the President of Guyana told the annual United Nations Assembly debate, calling on the Organization to redouble its efforts to resolve border issues which fuel conflicts in parts of the world.
Moroccan Prime Minister presents development model to UN Assembly
Sep 26, 2014, at 09:28 pm
New York, Sept 26 (IBNS) Unless the international community supports developing countries to help them achieve progress and ensure security and stability, the world will face more conflicts and greater fanaticism, violence and terrorism, Morocco’s Prime Minister warned the United Nations General Assembly.
Sep 26, 2014, at 09:27 pm
New York, Sept 26 (IBNS) Addressing the General Assembly this evening, Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper, said his country had a strong record in serving humanity and upholding the values of the United Nations.
Tajikistan leader says new development agenda must learn from past gaps, flaws
Sep 26, 2014, at 09:24 pm
New York, Sept 26 (IBNS) Taking to the General Assembly podium tonight, Prime Minister of Tajikistan, Qohir Rasulzoda, called on world leaders to establish a new global partnership that will not only advance a future sustainable development plan but will also address the gaps and flaws of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).